Transporting beloved family pets can be a rewarding, and challenging experience. Animals require special care, and their owners require top notch communication. Follow these guidelines when preparing to transport this precious cargo.

Health

Verify the pet is fit for transport. Ask the owner about medical and behavioral issues. Request a veterinarian issued health certificate, as well as shot and immunization records. You'll want to identify high-risk health issues that could affect the pet during transport, or harm other pets in your vehicle. Keep in mind that transporting pets under eight weeks of age is especially risky, and not recommended.

Season and Temperature

Heat is especially "ruff" on pets in transport. We highly discourage shipping animals during the summer. When customers absolutely can't wait for cooler temperatures, it's important to take extra precautions. Be sure to schedule additional breaks for fresh air, and maintain a cool environment with fully functioning air conditioning. Transportation of live animals in vehicles without climate control is absolutely unacceptable.

Breed

Certain breeds of snub nosed dogs and cats are at particularly high risk for breathing incidents during transportation. Stress and high temperatures are common triggers of respiratory distress. Take special care when transporting Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih tzus, Bulldogs, and some Mastiffs. Himalayan and Persian cats have similar reactions to travel.

Frequent Breaks

Pets need to be able to relieve themselves every few hours. This is also a good time for them to get some exercise and fresh air. During the transition from the kennel or vehicle to the outside world, you should take extra precautions to secure the pet. When feeding pets, or administering any medications, make sure you're doing so in accordance with your customer's instructions.

Communication

Keep in mind that most customers are new to pet transportation. Entrusting beloved pets to strangers can be stressful for owners. Set expectations for communication and updates, and consider sending photos throughout the trip. If a problem occurs, notify the customer immediately.

As always, let uShip Support know if you have any questions or concerns.